What Writers Too Often Overlook: Having a Call to Action

Just about every writer would love to have more readers—more readers of their books, their blog, their articles, or whatever creative work they’re producing.

But few writers have given much thought to having a call to action that’s associated with their work. “Call to action” is a marketing term that refers to the one thing you’d like someone to do if they’ve enjoyed or otherwise been affected by your work.

Writers are often the most guilty of magical thinking that goes something like this: My work speaks for itself, and if it’s good enough, then wonderful things will happen.

Well, sometimes your work does speak for itself, but it may not spur any action. Or, if it does spur action, people may not take the action you’d most prefer.

So with every piece you plan to write, it’s helpful to first think through: What would I like to see happen as a result of publishing this piece? What would I like to see the most engaged readers do?

Sometimes your goal is to generate interest in your books (especially around the time of a book launch), or maybe you’re hoping that people will follow you on social media or sign up for your email newsletter. The purpose of this post that you’re reading now is to bring awareness and visibility to my upcoming course on online writing.

The call to action for each piece you write may be different, and it tends to change depending on your current projects or initiatives. Don’t try to determine your call to action based on what other people are doing; it only makes sense when you base it on either your own short-term or long-term goals.

While online articles, interviews, and blog posts are very commonly associated with a call to action, they can appear in a lot of other places, including:

The homepage of your website

In your bio note on social media

In your email signature

At the beginning or end of your book

Here’s an example of a call to action that’s included in a bio note by Kirsten Oliphant:

Here’s an example of a soft call to action in a Twitter bio—the link goes to a newsletter sign up.

Here’s an example of a call to action on a homepage at School of Book by David Moldawer:

Don’t be shy about including calls to action alongside or at the end of your work. They’re the most beneficial when you already have someone’s attention, and they’re most interested in either more great stuff from you, or staying up to date on your new stuff.

Related

Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors.

In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. She also has a book forthcoming from the University of Chicago Press, The Business of Being a Writer (March 2018).

Jane speaks regularly at conferences and industry events such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, and the AWP Conference, and has served on panels with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund. Find out more.

Categories

Blog Archives

Blog Archives

About Jane

I have more than 20 years of experience in the book and magazine publishing industry, with expertise in digital media and the future of authorship. I speak around the world at events such as BookExpo America, Frankfurt Book Fair, and Digital Book World, and have keynoted writing conferences such as The Muse & The Marketplace. Read more.